West Virginia becomes 45th U.S. state to regulate MMA

With overwhelming votes in favor of the move, West Virginia is now the 45th U.S. state to regulate mixed martial arts.

After it recently passed the West Virginia legislation, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin recently signed the bill into effect.

Only three state athletic commissions (New York, Connecticut and Vermont) currently don’t regulate MMA, and two states (Alaska and Wyoming) lack regulatory bodies to do so.

“We’ve worked hard to get this sport regulated all over the world, particularly in the United States,” UFC President Dana White stated. “I’m really excited to see the sport regulated in West Virginia and look forward to one day bringing a UFC event there.”

As part of today’s release, UFC officials revealed no timetable for an event in the state, which has the nation’s 37th largest population with 1.9 million West Virginians. Potential UFC host cites include Charleston and Huntington.

Former WEC champ and current UFC fighter Brian Bowles hails from Charleston.

“All of my friends and family in West Virginia always ask when they’re going to get to see me fight in my home state,” Bowles stated. “Now that the sport is regulated there, I am excited to know that I could one day compete in the octagon in West Virginia.”

The UFC, and primarily Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner, have spearheaded the legislative efforts throughout North America in recent years. The UFC’s record-breaking UFC 129 event, for example, is expected to draw 55,000 spectators and draw a $10 million gate. The show takes place April 30 in Toronto, which allowed MMA after a push by UFC officials.

“Being the former director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, all the fights that I administered – as well as all the fights I’ve been involved with in the UFC – individually, it’s between 1,500 and 2,000 fights that I’ve actually been involved with that had no major injuries,” he said. “I want [legislators] to know that.”